NFU Cymru to promote water quality at Monmouth Show

NFU Cymru will be using Monmouth Show as a platform to promote nutrient management planning, providing farmers with a one-stop shop on what to do to improve water quality and the benefit good practices will provide on farm.

Ian Williams, NFU Cymru Monmouthshire County Chairman, said: “The issue of agricultural pollution has not been far from news headlines in recent months. NFU Cymru recognises the role in creating the right conditions and ensuring that the framework, mechanisms and support are appropriate to assist farmers to take pro-active steps to improve water quality.”

At Monmouth Show, NFU Cymru will be gathering information through a survey on current on-farm practices together with resources that farmers would find useful to assist them with nutrient management planning.

Good nutrient management is one of the keys to improving water quality as well as farm profitability. Gary Yeomans, who lives near Llanvetherine, Abergavenny is currently trialling undersowing his maize crop with grass seed in an attempt to minimise soil erosion, improve soil structure and reduce the risk of run-off. Measures such as this are a practical way to illustrate that farmers are aware of their responsibilities and willing, voluntarily, to adopt new practices to improve water quality.

There are a wide range of tools and guidance to get you started. NFU Cymru has pulled together a number of resources and tools and made them available in electronic format on a FREE USB Memory Stick available from the NFU Cymru stand.  The information includes:

•  New to Nutrient Management Guide
• Check Sheet for Fertiliser Use
• Check Sheet for Organic Manure Management
• Check Sheet for Soil Management
• Farm Record Sheet
• Field Record Sheet

Ian Williams added: “A warm welcome is extended to everyone to join us on the stand to take part in our questionnaire.”